Jeffs Settle For 2-2 Tie With Conn. College

AMHERST, Mass. - Dylan Trumble ’13 and Mike Rowbotham ’15 each netted a first period goal but the ninth-ranked Amherst men’s hockey team surrendered a pair of short-handed goals 36 seconds apart, settling for a 2-2 tie with Connecticut College in Orr Rink.

The third 2-2 draw between the squads in four seasons, Amherst extended its unbeaten streak over the Camels, having not lost to Conn. College since the 2008-09 campaign. Now 9-4-2 (6-3-1 NESCAC), the Jeffs will take a break from conference action with a trip to Colchester, Vt. to square off with St. Michael’s on Saturday, Jan. 19.

Taking advantage of an early power play opportunity, Rowbotham one-timed a shot from the right circle past junior goaltender Mike Petchonka to stake the Jeffs to an lead at 3:29.

Skating into the offensive zone midway through the opening frame, Trumble added to the Amherst tally, evading a Camel defender with some nice stick work in the slot before depositing his second of the season into the back of the Conn. College net.

Generating a good scoring chance early in the second, Sebastian Meltzer ’16 fired a hard slapshot from the right circle, but senior goaltender Nathan Corey made a pad save to keep the Camels off the board.

Short-handed later in the period, Keith Veronesi ’14 created a turnover in the neutral zone before skating in alone and beating Corey with a shot inside the near post at 8:00. Just 36 seconds later, Conn. College once again broke out of its defensive zone, as Zach Jones ’15 tracked down a bouncing puck in the slot before suddenly tying the game at 2-2.

Still tied at the end of regulation, Mike Moher ’13 ripped a hard shot from the left circle in hopes of netting the game winner, but Petchonka smothered the try to keep the Camels level. Kevin Kelly ’14 skated up the left side with just over a minute to go in the extra session, but Corey stood tall, making a big stop on a hard wrister to stave off Conn. College’s upset bid.

Outshot 15-9 over the first two frames, the Camels turned it on late, holding a 9-8 advantage in the third period and overtime. Corey made 16 saves in the win, while Petchonka finished with 21 stops.